planthopper

American  

[plant-hop-er, plahnt-] / ˈplæntˌhɒp ər, ˈplɑnt- /

noun

1. any member of a large and varied group of homopterous insects that are related to the leafhoppers and the spittlebugs but rarely damage cultivated plants.

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Etymology

Origin of planthopper

plant + hopper

Example Sentences

Although the inch-long planthopper looks pretty with its distinctive black spots and bright red wing markings, the sap-sucking bug likes to mass and feed on plants.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 28, 2023

Native to China, this striking, black-and-red planthopper showed up in the U.S. for the first time in 2014, perhaps stowed away on an international shipment of decorative stone bound for Berks County in eastern Pennsylvania.

From National Geographic • Aug. 31, 2023

The gray-and-red-winged planthopper from China first showed up in Pennsylvania in 2014.

From New York Times • Aug. 21, 2022

The planthopper was thought to be accidentally imported to Berks County, Pa., in 2014, presumably in a shipping container from Asia.

From Washington Post • Aug. 12, 2022

Just what these little planthopper nymphs get out of their extravagent body art isn't clear, although as the host suggests, parasite or predator defense is a strong possibility.

From Scientific American • Sep. 10, 2015